Despite all the pomp and circumstance during the ceremony, next week Bellone takes over a county that has a lot of serious financial problems, among them a deficit that some experts have put at $100 million.

"I think he's got good will behind him," says Legislator John Kennedy (R-Nesconset). "I hope various sectors come to support him. We'll look to go ahead and facilitate him where it's prudent, and we will absolutely oppose where it's not."